"And that wasn't just because 2009 was behind them, but because it ultimately didn't turn out that bad."

"One area where firms might have to go back to the cost-cutting measures of 2009 is when it comes to equity partner ranks. The survey shows firms are happy with their associate ranks and may even grow them."

"According to the survey administered in the fourth quarter of 2009, the overall confidence index of managing partners is the highest it has been in two-and-a-half years and is back where it was in the third quarter of 2007. Citi attributes this rise in confidence to an expected rise in work demand. About 64 percent of the respondents said they expected demand to grow over the next 12 months and 23 percent said it would stay flat. The demand index, as Citi dubs it, is the highest it has been in two years. The majority of firm leaders said they expect an increase in billable hours in the next year."

"Citi's survey also shows firms don't expect to conduct any more layoffs, and 45 percent said they expect to hire associates. Indices for equity and non-equity partners as well as associates all broke into positive territory last quarter, which Citi said suggests flat or increasing headcount for the next 12 months."

"Slightly more than 50 percent said the legal market has improved in the last six months and 61 percent said it would grow somewhat stronger in the next six months."

The pessimism on TLS derived from many on this forum has never been the gospel. Ive never thought it to be biglaw or die, or even top 15 or bust, but that's just me. Some on here make it sound like most markets 3 years from now will be the same as they are today.

The entire TLS community is rumor-hungry and hyperbole-driven. The legal market, like all other markets, didn't come crashing down in 08/09 as the chicken-littles of the world predicted and is now showing tentative signs of recovery. There's no reason to believe that the industry is now somehow permanently crippled, that a growing economy suddenly has no need for lawyers, or that you won't benefit from a law degree (especially over the course of your entire career).

By the time this year's incoming class graduates, these outdated posts will seem overly negative and misguided.

wocehtoom wrote:The entire TLS community is rumor-hungry and hyperbole-driven. The legal market, like all other markets, didn't come crashing down in 08/09 as the chicken-littles of the world predicted and is now showing tentative signs of recovery. There's no reason to believe that the industry is now somehow permanently crippled, that a growing economy suddenly has no need for lawyers, or that you won't benefit from a law degree (especially over the course of your entire career).

By the time this year's incoming class graduates, these outdated posts will seem overly negative and misguided.

I feel the general consensus on TLS is not so much that the legal industry is permanently crippled, but that it's a bigger risk to take on more debt given the tough job market. LS debt has always been an issue, but more people (applicants, current LS students, etc) are exercising caution for good reason - no one really knows what things will be like in the years to come. While it probably won't be as bad as it is now in another couple years, it is a little idealistic to think that the good times will be rolling back again anytime soon. And, I think it's safe to say that tuitions will keep rising, regardless of any improved (or worsened) market conditions.

It's funny because JDUnderground thinks TLS is naive and optimistic. It really doesn't matter though because the apocalypse is coming in 2012. If you survive the initial judgment you will find yourself in a lawless wasteland where justice is a 12 gauge and that fancy harvard law education is useless.

wocehtoom wrote:The entire TLS community is rumor-hungry and hyperbole-driven. The legal market, like all other markets, didn't come crashing down in 08/09 as the chicken-littles of the world predicted and is now showing tentative signs of recovery. There's no reason to believe that the industry is now somehow permanently crippled, that a growing economy suddenly has no need for lawyers, or that you won't benefit from a law degree (especially over the course of your entire career).

By the time this year's incoming class graduates, these outdated posts will seem overly negative and misguided.

I feel the general consensus on TLS is not so much that the legal industry is permanently crippled, but that it's a bigger risk to take on more debt given the tough job market. LS debt has always been an issue, but more people (applicants, current LS students, etc) are exercising caution for good reason - no one really knows what things will be like in the years to come. While it probably won't be as bad as it is now in another couple years, it is a little idealistic to think that the good times will be rolling back again anytime soon. And, I think it's safe to say that tuitions will keep rising, regardless of any improved (or worsened) market conditions.

Yea, but it seems to be getting back to the point where if you do well you will be employed. That's all I ask.

martha_c wrote:This can't possibly be true. According to most people on this forum, unless you're the top person at Yale, your job prospects are somewhere between awful and pathetic.

The respondent above fails to consider the possibility that:

a) The sample referenced (TLS) is unrepresentativeb) The TLS posters lack the expertise to discuss such issues with authorityc) He is misinterpreting the views of the TLS postersd) The views he has sampled are based on inaccurrate or outdated datae) All of the above

It's funny because JDUnderground thinks TLS is naive and optimistic. It really doesn't matter though because the apocalypse is coming in 2012. If you survive the initial judgment you will find yourself in a lawless wasteland where justice is a 12 gauge and that fancy harvard law education is useless.

martha_c wrote:This can't possibly be true. According to most people on this forum, unless you're the top person at Yale, your job prospects are somewhere between awful and pathetic.

The respondent above fails to consider the possibility that:

a) The sample referenced (TLS) is unrepresentativeb) The TLS posters lack the expertise to discuss such issues with authorityc) He is misinterpreting the views of the TLS postersd) The views he has sampled are based on inaccurrate or outdated datae) All of the above

PoliticalJunkie wrote:

martha_c wrote:This can't possibly be true. According to most people on this forum, unless you're the top person at Yale, your job prospects are somewhere between awful and pathetic.

Of course, because the average 20y/o TLSr knows it all!!

Are you guys both seriously not realizing that the post your referencing was sarcastic?

"2009 wasn't so bad" means that firms were able to keep profits per partner where they wanted it by laying off droves of associates. Things are starting to thaw a bit, but revenues aren't going to increase substantially because of alternative fee arrangements, and for the next few years, new law grads are going to have to contend with the glut of unemployed/underemployed associates from the classes of 07 08 09.

I don't know if the legal market is improving or just starting to stabilize. It appears most of the layoffs are behind us, but most of the top firms have a back log of deferred associates to place still, so I imagine hiring will still be pretty bad this year. Also, there seems to be some pretty compelling evidence to suggest that the pending option ARM resets will lead to another wave of foreclosures close to what we saw in 08 when the sub-primes struck, which will invariably have a negative impact on the economy and market confidence.

JMBrown32 wrote:I don't know if the legal market is improving or just starting to stabilize.

stabilizing = improving

lol true. My point was I don't think hiring will be too much better than it was last year (read: abysmal). Maybe a little better, but not much.

I think this years SA class will be hit hardest because they are going to be competing with class of 2010 who will be differed a year. Instead of hiring a big class of 2011 and differing them a year, they will just hire less at 2L OCI.